Drinking and arrhythmias

[frs87]

Obviously drinking can trigger arrhythmias if you already have an abnormal electrical pathway on your heart. But I was wondering if drinking can go further, I mean, if it can CREATE this pathway. Is there any evidence that is can happen?

[degrassi]

alcoholism can cause a form of cardiomyopathy and heart failure which can lead to many arrhythmias.  This only happens in certain people, and can be usually be reversed if drinking is stopped.

[nikgirl28]

that's kinda scary... u're heart could remodel if u have too many arrthytmias ;o

[va_tony]

Yes, I think that's possible in some cases.  Consider this scenario: Someone goes on a drinking binge and experiences Holiday Heart afib. If this person makes a habit of going on binges (is an alcoholic), then he/she will continue to experience afib episodes.  Afib is well know to beget afib... that is, the heart begins to remodel and the episodes become more frequent.. there are biochemical changes in the tissue making that type of rhythm preferable after time.  Also binge drinking can cause high BP and enlarge the atria also leading to afib. So, yes.  I think it's possible.

Remodeling does take place with other arrhythmias as well. But if you are referring to PVCs and PACs... nahh... they are harmless and wouldn't cause a problem.